12 December 2018 - Reflecting the changing landscape of the Middle East region’s engineering profession, this year’s prestigious Middle East (ME) Consultant Award included a new category, Women in Construction: Professional of the Year. Its first winner is country manager for Aurecon in Abu Dhabi and Client Director for Infrastructure, Middle East, Mina Al Jubori.

The award category attracted 20 nominations and competition was fierce. It was designed to recognise female engineering professionals who have delivered exceptional work over the past year, while also earning the respect of colleagues, peers and clients. All nominees must also have worked directly in regional construction projects.

Leading by example

A civil engineer by training with an MBA specialising in Operations and Project Management, Mina has nearly two decades’ experience, delivering solutions for major multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects in the Middle East and Australia, including the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone Development Programme in the United Arab Emirates; the Sohar Port and Industrial Zone in Oman; and the Sydney International Container Terminal in Australia.  

Having grown up in Iraq, Mina lived through some of the country’s most difficult years. She also experienced many challenges trying to break into the male-dominated world of engineering in the Middle East. Nevertheless, her intellect, creative thinking and determination have delivered success and shaped her as a leader; respected by clients, colleagues and partners.

“I had to go the extra mile to prove myself in my career,” she said. “But the respect I get is earned. Yes, I am a woman. But first and foremost, I am an engineer. I feel truly honoured to receive this award, and I hope in some ways my story will inspire other women to think of a career in STEM. Being at Aurecon has enabled me to be a part of some truly spectacular projects while working at a company that shares my beliefs. I hope we can bring more women into our profession and make ‘#womanengineer’ an obsolete hashtag.”

Diversity and empowerment

Aurecon’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Ermis Marques – himself the recipient of ME Consultant’s Executive of the Year Award in 2017 – noted the award confirmed Mina’s determination and resilience. It is also a ringing endorsement of the company’s diversity and inclusion policies in action.

“We are all delighted for Mina; it’s a recognition she thoroughly deserves. Through her drive and fearlessness, she has turned adversity into triumphs. At Aurecon, we are committed to a diverse, high-performing culture where everyone feels respected and is willing to contribute. This is especially crucial in the Middle East, where projects are bigger and bolder, requiring innovative and unconventional thinking from every team member,” he said.

About the ME Consultant Awards

This year’s ME Consultant Awards 2018 took place at the Ritz Carlton, Dubai, UAE, on 10 December 2018. These Awards recognise the region’s best companies, projects and talents from across a variety of fields in the engineering industry. Winners are chosen by a panel of judges and announced at the organisation’s annual gala dinner.